Bowling alley



Nov. 10, 1942.. l H; E, GREMP ETAL 2,301,777

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Nov. 10,- 1942. H. EGREMP Erm.

BOWLING ALLEY 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Illu-l IIIIII.

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BOWLING ALLEY Filed May 13, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 lll v INVENTOM He@ grew-I7 l ,1E/M077@ 676/127730 L 3% @Wg/mAnORNEYs.

Patented Nov. 10, 1942 BOWLING ALLEY Henry E. Gremp and Edward C. Gremp, Chicago, Ill.

Appiieation May 1e, 1939, seriaiNo. 273,381

9 Claims.

Our invention relates Ain general' to runway construction, and has more particular reference to bowling alleys.

An important object of the invention` resides in providing a runway construction well adapted for use as a bowling alley, the runway being inexpensive, yet durable, and made of parts sized to facilitate and minimize the cost of transportation, said parts being formed for easy assembly in building the alley thereby reducing the cost of providing bowling alleys at the location where set up for use.

Another important object is toprovide an` alley construction comprising sectionalized parts prefabricated for ready assembly in the construction of bowling alleys; a further object being to utilize sheet metal sections for the construction of the alley.

Another important object is to provide an alley construction having simplified means for leveling the iloor thereof, thereby insuring true rolling characteristics in the iloor.

Another important object is to provide a bowling alley having a composition floor supported on a suitable basic iloor structure whereby the alley may be erected in position exposed to the outdoor elements without impairing the same throughout a long service life.

Another important object is to provide a bowling alley of prefabricated metal parts; a further object being to make the pit end structure of the alley of sheet metal parts and to provide sound absorbing means thereon to suppress the noise of ball impact. v

Another important object is to provide an outdoor bowling alley which need not be enclosed or protected from the weather.

Another importantl object is to utilize sheet metal sections to form gutters in the bowling alley structure.-

Another important object is to form a bowling' alley gutter with a depressed trough in the bottom thereof carrying tracks for balls therein; a further object being to form the gutter on each side of the depressed trough with curved walls in order to urge a ball toward and onto the tracks.

Another important object is to interconnect the adjacent gutters of' adjacent alleys by means of a closure formed to provide a ball return track between adjacent alleys; a further object being to form said closure as a sheet metal piece carrying ball tracks adapted to convey balls returned from the pin or pit end of the bowling alley to the delivery end thereof, said return track also serving to. receive and catch such wildly thrown balls as may pass from one alley over the. lateral` gutter thereof and thereby prevent such balls from passing onto the adjacent alley.v

AnotherA important object is to provide a ball returnway of sheet metal extending from the pit to. the-approach end of the alley; a further object being to utilize the return way as a cover or inishing. piece for interconnecting and enclosing the space between adjacent alleys; and a further object is to provide-arball rack at the approach endY of. thealley comprising an extension of the return way; a still further object being, to provide an improved ball check on said rack.

Another important object is to provide a bowling alley including a sub-structure supporting the alley oor and bracket means at intervals eX- tending from said sub-structure laterally of said floor and beneath. the lateral gutters whereby to support. the` saine; a further objectbeingV to provide.` sheet metal brackets of simplified construction extending at spaced-apart intervals. between the sub-structuresfof adjacent alley constructions and affording support for the adjacent gutters of adjacent alleys, and also support for the, closure member which forms a ball return between said adjacent alleys, said ball return being readi-ly removable from mounted position between such adjacent gutters in order to afford a space therebetween through which the alley leveling means may be manipulated, as by the insertion of the arm of a service operator through the opening between adjacent gutters,

Another important object is to utilize tubular sheet metal sections to form ball tracks on the gutters, and in the ball return way; a further object being to anchor the track elements in place by means of snap fasteners comprising springv arms on and projecting from. the track elements in position to snap into and lock in openings formed in the gutter and return way elements, saiclspring fasteners comprising detentel which may be released from lockingposition merely by squeezing the same together on the side of the gutter and return way members opposite from the side thereof on which the track elements are mounted.

Another important object resides in providing countersunk and sealed, yet readily operable, fastening means for interconnecting adjacent gutter sections whereby the fastening means is depressed below or behind the attached gutters so that the balls may not become nicked thereby, the fastening means, however, being readily operable from above in order to either connect or disconnect the gutter sections, thereby facilitating alley assembly operations.

Another important object resides in providing a sub-iioor structure, more particularly for bowling alleys, comprising seetionalized metal structural elements and means to support the same adjustably in position to carry the alley floor; a further object being to provide simplified means for adjusting the elevation at which each section is mounted; a still further object being to dispose the adjusting means below the alley oor in position readily accessible from above the alley construction.

Among the other numerous important objects of the invention are to provide an inexpensive bowling alley construction in which substantially all of the parts of the structure, including the floor supports, the gutters, and the ball return way, comprise metallic parts of inexpensive form and preferably made up in standard lengths so that the structure may be shipped in completely knocked-down condition, thereby minimizing transportation costs; a structure of which all of the parts comprise relatively simple metallic sections adapted for inexpensive prefabrication, as at a factory, for shipment to the eventual alley erection site and there erected merely by fastening the parts together; a structure affording facilities for accurately leveling the alley floor after the same has been erected in place, in order to true up the oor for bowling; a construction in which none of the parts are subject to deterioration whereby the alley may be erected for outdoor operation; a structure which requires no foundation other than spaced-apart blocks on which to rest the structure; and in general, a structure that may be erected anywhere at minimum expense to afford a bowling alley having superior characteristics insofar as the travel of balls thereon is concerned, as well as the ability to resist deterioration upon exposure to the outdoor elements.

These and numerous other important objects, advantages, and inherent functions of the invention will become apparent as the same is more fully understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a bowling alley embodying our present invention;

Figures 2, 3, 4, and 6 are enlarged sectional views taken substantially along the lines 2 2, 3 3, 4 4, and 6 6 in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a sectional view illustrating a modied form of a part of the device as illustrated in Figures 4 and 6;

Figure '1 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the structure shown in Figures 4 and 6;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a snap fastener used in the construction shown in Figure '1;

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 9 9 in Figure 6;

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line I0 I0 in Figure 4;

Figures 1l, l2, and 13 are enlarged sectional viewsV taken substantially along the lines Il I I, I2 I2, and I3 I3 respectively in Figure 21;

,Figures 14, 15, and 16 are sectional views taken substantially along the lines Ill-Ill and |5 I5 in Figure 11, and I6 I6 in Figure 15; and

Figure '1'1 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line I1 I1 in Figure 1.

To illustrate our invention we have shovm on the drawings a bowling alley structure II comprising means forming a pair of adjacently disposed alleys I3 forming a bowling alley set, each alley comprising a runway or floor I5 having a pit construction I1 at one end and a delivery platform I9 at the other, said alleys being adjacent and each having lateral gutters 2| along their adjacent sides, and gutters 23 along their remotely situated sides, a ball return way 25 being provided between the adjacent gutters 2l of said alleys extending from the pits l1 to a ball rack 21 between the delivery platforms I9.

The runway or floor I5 of each alley is preferably carried in a supporting sub-structure comprising longitudinally extending members 29 disposed along the opposite sides of each alley I3 These members 29 are preferably formed in sections to facilitate and minimize the costs of transportation, and the sections are adapted to be assembled in end to end abutting relationship and secured together in any suitable or convenient fashion, as by bolting with sh plates, welding, or otherwise, as at 3| in Figure 3.

The sections also are provided with elongated i openings 33 at intervals therein, there being two such openings at each end of each section whereby to form a set of four slot-like openings, preferably equally spaced at the abutting ends of the sections and each section also preferably preformed with a set of four elongated slots 33, preferably equally spaced apart in the medial portions of each section.

As shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, the longitudinally extending support members 29 may be carried at intervals on posts 35, which may suitably comprisev preferably wooden piles or blocks upstanding from the floor or ground on which the alley is erected, and we provide mounting brackets 31 for supporting the members 29 adjustably on the posts 35.

These brackets 31 comprise plates 39 fastened on the posts 35 in any suitable or convenient manner, as by means of dowels 4l, said plates carrying upstanding flanges 43 fastened on the plates 39, preferably by attaching angle irons 45 on the plate, as by welding or otherwise. On opposite sides of the posts 35 each plate threadinglj7 receives an adjusting screw 41 extending adjacent the flange 43.

The support members 29 preferably comprise angle portions 41 and channel portions 9, which as shown in Figures 4 and 6, may comprise an integral unit with one flange of the angle portion 41 forming a ange of the channel portion 49, or, as indicated in Figure 5 of the drawings, the portions 41 and 49 may be formed as separate elements and suitably secured together to provide the support members 29, which consists of a ange 5I adapted to define the side edge of the oor structure, interconnected flange means 52 in position underlying the lateral edges of the oor structure, a web 53 depending from the flange means 52, said web 53 carrying the elongated slots 33 and being adapted to overlie the flange 43 on the base plate, the lower edge of said web- 53 being formed with a flange 55 in position to extend above and seat upon the adjusting screws 41.

Opposite the openings 33 in the web 53 the support flange 43 is provided with an opening, and a nut 51 is preferably welded on said flange 43 at said opening in position to threadingly receive clamping screws 59 inserted through the openings 33 and threaded into the nut 51 whereby said screws 59 may be tightened or loosened in order to clamp the web 53 in adjusted position on the iiange 43 merely by manipulating the heads of the fastening elements 59 from one side of the web 53, the nut 51 being anchored on the flange 43 and thus held stationary.

After the parts have been assembled with the fastening elements 59I loosely in place, the adjustment of the support members 29 to a desired elevation throughout the entire extent of the :door may be accomplished by adjusting the screws 41 and then tightening the members 59 in order to clamp the parts in adjusted position.

While the posts may be arranged in any preferred, spaced-apart relationship and may be positioned opposite the junction 3| of the abutting ends of the members 29, I prefer to arrange the posts as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, in which alternate posts are positioned at the abutting ends of adjacent members 29, the remaining posts being disposed at the mid-point in a member 29 since this arrangement permits the use of a minimum number of support posts 35 in providing adequate foundation support for the structure, and it is to permit this arrangement that the openings 33 are provided at the ends of each section 29 and also at the medial portions thereof.

We also provide at intervals in the support means 29 a plurality of gutter brackets 51 extending outwardly of and along the opposite edges of the structure and we also provide, similarly spaced along and extending between the facing edges of the adjacent alleys |3, a plurality of alley connecting and gutter supporting brackets 59.

The brackets 51 are preferably of triangular form and preferably comprise a pair of pressed sheet metal plates which may be secured together in back-to-back relationship. These plates each comprise a web portion 6| and outstanding marginal flanges 63 at the edges of the plate.

The connecting brackets 59 likewise may comprise sheet metal plates of length between the opposite ends thereof sufficient to extend between the facing members 29 of adjacent alleys I3. Each bracket 59 comprises a plate portion 1| having marginal flanges 13 at the edges thereof, and the medial portions of the plates 1| are extended upwardly as at 15 to provide a mounting and support for the ball return way 25, the brackets 59 on opposite sides of said elevated portions 15 serving as support mountings adjacent alley gutters 2|.

The plates in back-toback relationship may be welded or otherwise suitably secured along their short edges on the web portion 53 of the support elements 29 in position extending substantially outwardly of the flange portion 5| of the support means 29.

The outwardly projecting portions of the brackets 51 serve to support the gutters 23 while the brackets 59 support the gutters 2| and the ball return means 25. The gutters 2| and 23 preferably comprise rolled sheet metal elements formed at one edge for connection with and along the marginal edges of said flange portion 5|, said gutters to this end being formed with a dependent flange 65 forming a notch with the body of the gutter, in which notch the edge of the flange 5| may be received. The flanges 5| and 65 may be suitably secured together in any preferred fashion as by means of the fastening members 61.

The opposite edge of the gutter members 23 is provided with an upstanding ange 59 which,

if desired, may be curled in order to finish the raw edge of the gutter or may be provided witha finishing strip if desired.

We prefer, however, to utilize the edges 69 of the gutters 2| as a mounting for detachably receiving the opposed edges of the ball return trough 25, the same preferably comprising a rolled sheet metal strip, the opposite edges of which are curled, as at 11, to receive the flanges B9, the body of the strip extending between the spaced gutters 2| of adjacent alleys and forming a closure for said intermediate space.

In like fashion the edges 69 of the gutters 23 may carry a finishing strip 18, which, as shown in Figure 5, may serve to close the opening between the cuter edge of a gutter 23 of one alley set and the adjacent marginal edge of the gutter 23 of an adjacent alley set The gutters 2| and 23 and the closure members 25 and 18 may be formed at intervals with drainage openings 82 in the bottoms thereof, this being a particularly desirable expedient where the alley is erected for outdoor use.

Intermediate the opposed edges dened by the fianges 35 and 99, the gutter elements have a generally circular sectional configuration, the radius of curvature being preferably slightly greater than the radius of a bowling ball; and the closure member 25 also may similarly have a generally curved sectional configuration if desired.

The gutter members 2| and 23 and the closure member 25 may be anchored as by means of the fastening members 8| on the upper flanged edges of the brackets 51 and 59, the fastening members 9| preferablyv comprising nuts and bolts with the heads of the bolts counter-sunk in the bottoms of the trough members 2 l, 23, and 25, the gutters 23 being anchored on the outstanding ends of the brackets 51 with the members 8| secured in the flanges 93 of said brackets, the gutters 2| being anchored on the opposed ends of thebrackets 59 outwardly of the members 29, with the members 9| fastened in the flanges 13 and the closure member 25 being anchored upon the medial upstanding portions 15 ci the brackets 59 with the fastening members 8| secured in the flanges 13 at the apex of the portion 15.

In order to facilitate the application of the fasteners 3| entirely from above the structure, the flange-s 93 and 13 are perforated and nuts 84 adapted to threadingly receive the screws 8|, they same being welded on said nanges at said openings whereby application of the fasteners 8| may be accomplished merely by inserting the same through the corresponding openings in the members 2|, and 25, and threading the same into the stationarily mounted nuts 9d as by means of a screwdriver from above the trough members.

The gutters 2| and 23 and the ball return member are preferably fabricated in convenient lengths for shipment, and are arranged in endto-end abutting relationship. the abutting ends being secured together by clamps 83, the construction and arrangement of which is clearly illustrated in Figure 10 of the drawings.

trough section at one end is provided, preferably on each side of the depression 19, with a struckmut portion 83 forming an opening 85, the struck-out portion 93 being folded upon itself to forma shoulder 81 and perforated to receive a bolt 99. The struck-out portion 83 extends entirely upon the underside of the trough element, and the cut edge defining the end of the slot 95 opposite from the struck-out portion 83 is.

bent downwardly as at 9|.

The struck-out portion 83 is also arranged so that the shoulder 81 extends at an angle facing upwardly toward the opening 85, the struck-out portions being perforated so that the bolt 89 may be inserted through the opening 85 and thence through the perforations of the struck-out portion. The adjacent end of the abutting channel member is provided with a flange member 9|, which not only provides a rest for the edge of the channel member having the struck-out portion 93, thereby supporting said abutting edges in abutting relationship, but the member 9| :also presents a threaded opening in position to receive the bolt 89, the threaded opening preferably being provided by welding a nut 93 on the flange member 9| at an opening therein so that by inserting the bolt 99 and tightening it into the nut 93, as by means of a socket wrench inserted through the opening 85, the parts may be clamped together by manipulations accomplished entirely from the upper side of the structure. At the same time, the fastening 8| is sealed entirely beneath the gutter members and the edge 9| is depressed so that bowling balls, in passing over the connection, are not in danger of becoming nicked upon the clamping means.

We prefer also to provide rails or tracks 95 on the gutters and on the return way 25. These rails, of course, may comprise grooves rolled integrally in the gutter members. We prefer, however, to form these tracks 95 as separate members prefabricated in standard lengths to facilitate shipment. The members 95 preferably are formed from sheet metal strips bent to provide a medial portion having a semi-circular sectional configuration providing a curved surface adapted to engage the balls and form tracks for carrying the same, the opposed edges of the strips beingv bent inwardly to form flanges defining a slot-like opening lill therebetween to receive fasteners for securing the tracks on the bottoms of the gutters. Of course the track members 95 may be formed and fastened in place in any suitable fashion and not necessarily as illustrated and described herein, nor is our invention necessarily restricted to the fabrication of the track members as sheet metal elements.

In order to secure the track members on the gutters we preferably utilize snap-fastening means 9i, the same preferably comprising lengths of springy wire having medial portions 99 bent as shown in Figures 7 and 8 to form a head adapted to be lockingly received in the openings l! formed in the members 95, the opposed ends of the wire being bent to form opposed latching detents |53 having cam-like ends |95 adapted to snap into and lock in openings |91 formed at intervals in the gutter members. This locking action is accomplished merely by applying the track member 95 to the gutter member with the fasteners in position opposite the openings i9?, and then pressing the parts together, the spring-like detents |53 being compressed together and thereby forced through the openings I9?, and thereupon springing outwardly in position to perform the locking function.

In order to remove the rails 95 from mounted position it is merely necessary to compress the latches |93 in order to release the rail for removal, and this may be accomplished ordinarily by merely inserting a prying tool between the rail and the gutter on which it is mounted whereby to accomplish removal of the rails entirely from above the structure. We prefer, also, to form the bottoms of the trough members 2|, 23,

and 25 each with a longitudinauy extending' fasteners 91 and the openings for the fastening I members 8|, and also, if desired, the clamp 83, may be arranged in said .depressions whereby the rails 95 may insure that such balls as may travel in the troughs 2|, 23, and 25 will not engage the fastening means 8| and 83.

The floors l5 of the alleys are carried on the spaced support means 29 between the anges 5| thereof, the opposite edges of each floor resting upon the flange means 52. The floor l5 may, of course, be of any suitable or preferred construction. However, in order that the alley of our present invention may be weather-resistant, we prefer to form the floor |5 of weather-resisting material, and to this end the floor preferably comprises support means I, shown in the illustrated embodiment as corrugated sheet material, said material being assembled on and between the flange means 52 with the corrugations extending laterally between the support means 29. The opposite edges of the corrugated sheet are preferably anchored on the flange means 52 by fastening elements, such as nuts and bolts |99, arranged in the bottoms of the corrugations and secured in the flange means 52.

Upon the support means we form a sublayer floor H3, preferably comprising concrete, which, if desired, may be suitably reinforced by means of steel or other reinforcing members extending therein. Upon the layer H3 we apply a floor surfacing layer ||5 of any suitable character, preferably a mastic, adapted to be finished to provide a hard, long-wearing, weather-resistant, upper surface. The floor layer ||5 at its opposed edges may overlie upon the flange 95 of the gutter members 2| and 23 in order to provide a smooth joint between the parts.

The approach platforms i9 and the floor of the pits ll may be formed in any suitable or convenient fashion. However, we prefer, in erecting the bowling alley, to make these floors of concrete, as shown at |2I, the surface of the floor forming the approach platforms E9 being level with and forming a continuation of the alley surface l5. If desired, the floor 19 may be eX- tended as a single piece across the ends of all of the alleys, and serve as a stop for the ends of the gutters 2| and 23 at the delivery end of the alleys, and the concrete as indicated at |23 may extend to form sloping shoulders at the ends of the gutters.

The pit floors preferably are formed as separate structures at the end of each alley, the floor level being somewhat below the level of the alley floors I5, the surfaces of the pit floors preferably coinciding with the level of the bottoms of the gutters 2| and 25. It will be noted that the gutters preferably terminate at |25, short of the end of the alley floor I5 but within the wings of the pit structure, the terminal ends of the alleys being preferably beveled, as shown in Figure 1.4, and we provide gutter continuation pieces |21 extending between the ends |25 of the gutter and the end of the alley floor l5, as shown in Figure 14, said continuation pieces l2? being preferably formed as rectangular troughs abutting the beveled ends |25 of the gutters, and closure pieces |29 are arranged at the inclination of the edges |25 to close the openings between the gutters 2| and 23, and the continuation pieces |27 at the abutting ends thereof.

The pit structures l1, as heretofore stated, may

be of any suitable style and construction. We prefer, however, to provide prefabricated metal elements including corner posts |3| which may be suitably anchored in the floor foundation or ground on which the alley is erected, as by driving the same into position. The posts |3| preferably comprise angle irons, the upper ends of which are interconnected by means of a rail |33, which also preferably comprises an angle iron, and the parts |3| and 33 may be interconnected as by bolting or welding, or by other suitable fastening means.

The rail |33 carries a back stop cushion |35, tiltably hung on the rail for swinging movement thereon between the posts |3|. On each side of each alley we provide wings |31. The wings on the opposite sides of the alley set comprise posts |39 and I4 similar to the posts |3| and arranged in alinement with the posts |3| along the opposed sides of the alley set at the pit end thereof.

Metal plates |43 are provided for attachment on the sides of the posts |3|, |39, and |4|, facing inwardly upon the pit. A sheet of fibrous material |45 is applied as by means of rivets or other suitable fasteners |41 upon the pit facing surfaces of the sheets |43 in order to receive impact of balls striking the pit walls and to suppress the noise of impact. The posts |4| are preferably bent as shown, and form rails |49 which are secured to the upper ends of the posts |3| and' |39. These rails |49 provide dependent flange means to which the upper edges of the plates |43 may be secured, as by means of bolts |53. The rails 49 and the rail |33 have p-referably sheet metal finishing members |55 mounted thereon,

said members comprising preferably heavy gauge strips, the opposite edges of which are bent downwardly on opposite sides of the rails, as shown clearly in Figure 14.

Between the adjacent side walls |31 of adjacent alleys the pit wall structure comprises preferably a tubular post |51 substantially in line with the center of the ball return \way 25. This post is of a size approximately equal to the Width of the said return way and serves, with the members 3|, as a support for sheet metal plates |63 similar to the plates |43 which extend on opposite sides of the post |51 to form the side walls of adjacent pits. These plates |63 preferably carry sound deadening ber cushion sheets, similar to the members |45. The post |51 serves as a support for a gutter |65, an end of which is supported by and between the adjacent posts |3| of adjacent alleys, Said end being curled upwardly as at |61. This gutter |65 extends substantially horizontally between the posts |3| and the post |51, and thereafter is inclined downwardly toward the end of the ball return way 25, the end of saidgutter |65 opposite from its curled end |61 being arranged in abutting relationship and forming a continuation of the return way at its pit end.

The gutter |65 has opposed curled edges adapted to receive and be secured on the upper edges of the plates |63, andthe gutter |65, of course, may be provided with rails similar to and forming continuations of the rails 95 of the return way 25. The alley pit attendant, in order to return balls to the delivery end of the alley, merely places the same in the gutter |65 and allows` the ball to enter the incline portion of the gutter. In descending said incline the ball receives suliicient impetus to travel the return way 25 to the delivery end of the alley.

At the delivery end of the alley a gutter |69 75 is provided lbetween the delivery platforms I9 as a continuation of the return way 25. This Vgutter is preferably in sectional form similar to the return way and the gutter |65, and forms a continuation vof the return way. To this end, the gutter |69 has a hump |1| adjacent the end thereof which abuts the end of the return way 25, said hump serving to decrease rthe rate of travel of balls entering the gutter |69 from the return way.

kOn the Vside of the hump |1| remote from the return way 25 we prefer to place 'a ball check |13 preferably comprising a sheet metal strap |13 arranged in Figure l2 of the drawings, said strap being fastened on the under side of the gutter |69 and forming a loop thereover through which returning balls are required to pass. In the upper portions of the loop we provide a spring pressed plate |15 pivoted on the strap |13, kas at |18, the plate |15 being normally pressed as by means of a spring |19 into position within the strap to engage a ball in passing through the strap and thereby check the movement thereof. In order to protect `the returning balls from scuing upon contact with the check plate |15, the same may be surfaced with any suitable material, such as a fiber pad I8 The end of the gutter |69 remote from the return way 25 is supported on a post |83 preferably comprising corrugated sheet metal, one end of which is anchored in the ground between the platforms |9 and the upper end of which is finished preferably by means of a sheet metal cap |85.

The gutter |69 may `be supported at intervals in any suitable fashion, as by means of posts |81 sunk in the ground between the platforms |9 and carrying plates |89 attached thereto, to which plates the gutter maybe secured as by fastening means similar to the fasteners used in securing the gutter 2| and the return way 25 upon the bracket 1|.

It will be seen from the foregoing that we have provided an unusually simple and inexpensive construction made of parts adapted for prefabrication and erection at any `desired site merely by bolting or otherwise securing the parts together. The construction -is entirely Weather-proof and can be erected out of doors without the provision of any enclosing structure, if desired. The assembly further is facilitated by the provision of fastenings 8|, 83, and 91, which may be accomplished entirely from above the structure. The tracks may be removed and replaced easily; likewise, the return way pieces 25 may be readily removed at any point in the alley in order to afford access to the adjusting and clamping screws 41 and 59. All of the elements of the construction, except the flooring, may be made in sizes to permit of transportation at minimum cost. Furthermore, the construction may be dis assembled and moved from place to place, if de... sired, at a fraction of the expense required to tear down and move bowling alleys of usual construction; in fact, it is virtually impossible to move alleys of ordinary construction due to the exorbitant expense and breakage which is encountered and which makes it cheaper to buy and instal a new alley rather than to attempt moving an old one. It is thought that the invention and its numerous attendant advantages will be fully understood from the foregoing description, and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the several parts without depart ing from the spirit and scope of the invention, nor sacrificing its attendant advantages, the form herein disclosed being merely for the purpo-se of demonstrating the' invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A bowling alley comprising monolithic means forming an alley floor structure, sheet metal trough means forming gutter sections supported in end to end abutting relationship along an edge of said floor structure, and means to removably connect the abutting ends of said sections comprising means forining a dependent iiange on one section and carrying threaded means for receiving a bolt, means forming a dependent bolt-receiving lug on the abutting section adjacent an opening therein, and a bolt adapted to be inserted through said opening and into said receiving lug in position to threadingly engage the threaded means on said ange in order to clamp the parts together.

2. A bowling .alley comprising rail means providing a ledge, monolithic hardened plastic slab means forming an alley floor having a longitudinal edge defined by said rail means, said slab means having .an edge supported on saidl ledge, and sheet metal trough means forming an edge gutter along and outwardly of the longitudinal edge of said floor, said trough means having an edge ange interfltting with said rail means and held in place by said monolithic means along an edge of said floor.

3. A bowling alley comprising rail means forminga ledge and an upstanding rib, monolithic slab means forming an alley iioor having a longitudinal edge defined by said rib an-d supported on said ledge, and sheet metal trough means forming an edge gutter for said floor, said trough means having an edge flanged and hooked upon said rib and held in place thereon by said slab means.

4. A bowling alley -comprising rail means providing a ledge, monolithic hardened plastic slab means forming an alley floor having a longitudinal edge denn-ed by said rail means, said slab means having an edge supported on said ledge, and sheet metal trough means forming an edge gutter along and outwardly of the longitudinal edge yof said floor, said trough means having an edge flange intertting with said rail means and held in place by said monolithic means along an f edge of said floor, said rail means including mounting means extending beneath said ledge and a bracket secured on said mounting means beneath said ledge and extending outwardly thereof in position to support the edge gutter out- :if

wardly of the longitudinal edge 'of said fioor.

5. A bowling alley comprising rail means providing a ledge, monolithic hardened plastic slab means forming an alley floor having a longitudinal edge dened by said rail means, said slab gutter outwardly oi the longitudinal edge of said floor.

6. A bowling alley comprising means forming an alley floor, channelled members in end-to-end relationship forming longitudinally extending iioor supporting rail means deiining the opposed edges of said floor, longitudinally extending sheet metal means forming a gutter secured at its edge along a longitudinal edge Vof said floor, sheet metal trough means forming a return trackway for balls, said trough means having an edge secured to the floor remote edge of said gutter, and sheet metal means forming bracket plates supporting said gutter and return trackway at intervals on said longitudinally extending floor supporting rail means.

7. A bowling alley comprising means forming a pair of adjacently extending alley iioors, each iloor being supported on longitudinally extending floor supporting members at the edges thereof, sheet metal edge gutters extending at and having edges secured along the adjacent edges of adjacent iioors, means connecting the adjacent edges of said gutters, and gutter supporting brackets connected between the longitudinally extending support members of adjacent oors.

8. A bowling alley comprising monolithic means forming an alley floor, and sheet metal trough means forming a gutter having an edge embedded in said monolithic means along a longitudinal edge of said floor.

9. A bowling alley comprising means forming a pair of adjacently extending alley floors, longitudinally extending iioor supporting rail means at the adjacent edges of said floors, sheet metal trough means forming a gutter bordering each Kof the adjacent edges of said floors, each gutter having an edge secured along a longitudinal edge of the floor which it borders, elongated sheet metal cover means having opposed edges secured to the oor remote edges of said gutters to interconnect the same and close the space therebetween, and spa-ced plates forming brackets for supporting said gutters at intervals, each bracket being secured to and extending between said longitudinally extending floor supporting members and affording common support for both gutters and said cover.

HENRY E. GREMP.

EDWARD C. GREMP. 

